ARTICLES

“I know when my name is published in media, they will
ask – has not this man died yet? They will ask it because I have been
complaining about the problem and have been urging for help since we
settled in this building. The problems, which my neighbors discussed
with you, are not new for me. The situation has worsened since August
of 2009 and you can see our living conditions yourself,” an IDP from
Abkhazia Vazha Moniava started his interview with the Human Rights
Center with these words.

Several days ago, heavy rain flooded about ten families in the village
of Matkhoji in Khoni district. The plots were flooded on the river bank
too. Although the population had already harvested everything, the
flooded River Tskhenistskali took away 20 meters of the land; flooded
central road and cars could not move for several hours.

Khoni district court has been discussing the criminal
case with nine accused people for several months. They are blamed in
following criminal traditions, storage of weapon, and extortion money
from businessman, hooliganism and purchase-possession of narcotic
substance. Khoni district police carried out special operation to
detain them based on the secret phone-calls.

“This is a raid and nothing more. The Tax inspection
issues fine with no excuse. It has become a rule of government. Instead
of helping, they are raiding us. Every morning starts with these kinds
of surprises in our country. This time we were imposed fine and nobody
tells us why. They are killing us slowly, by cutting the breathe
supplies,” – dealers of trade center “Gvirabi” (Tunnel) are protesting
against the fines imposed on them by tax inspection.

Board in 56 cm from the bench; the steps strengthened by
wooden pillars that can fall down any time; broken floor; water leaking
from the roof; walls cracking from dampness; cold rooms because of
damaged windows; more than 250 students live in such conditions in the
public schools of the villages Melaani of Gurjaani region and village
Erisimedi of Signagi region.

The ministry of defense does not have program for the
training of reserve army and the National Guardia does not have
commander. Despite that, the ministry of defense with Bacho Akhalaia as
a minister started call up for the reserve army. The reservists took
corresponding medical examination in Vaziani military base. However,
the reservists said that only small part of soldiers took medical
examination.

On October 27, IDP from Abkhazia Nana Pipia tried to
burn herself by petrol in front of the ministry of the IDPs from the
occupied territories, accommodation and refugees of Georgia. At the
moment she is in the national center for burnt diseases and the doctors
cannot make any prognosis about the development of her health
conditions in future. More than 30 percent of her body was burnt and
medically it is singe of the second and third degree.

On October 24th, late at night, Georgian financial
police detained 100 Adjara residents in their homes. These are the
citizens who systematically crossed Sarpi customs service for last 4
months. Police was looking for the members of criminal group and their
allies. Ultimately, on October 25th, out of 100 citizens 15 detainees
were transferred to Tbilisi.

Brother of one of the leaders of the “Georgian Party” –
Sozar Subari (former public defender) – Vakhtang Subeliani was charged
under article 210 of the Criminal Code of Georgia at 1:00 am on October
28. This article envisages imprisonment for 7 years. Besides Subeliani,
several employees of the Petrol Company “Amo” Ltd were arrested. They
are accused in preparation of false invoices.

“Elect and Govern Yourself” – it was the main slogan of
the municipal elections which suggested the citizens to go to polling
stations. The society elected the local government but afterwards the
second part of the slogan- “Govern Yourself” was removed from the
agenda.

In Khobi, at #12 Sakhoia St, eight families of IDPs from
Abkhazia live in the building of “Sharagzamsheni 1.” It needs repair;
roof is damaged, water is leaking in the rooms, walls are crannied and
damp. IDPs can’t renovate the roof because of the lack of finances.
Winter is anticipated with a great fear. They are asking for elementary
attention from the local government.

Chief prosecutor’s office finished investigation on the
case of the former MP Nikoloz Kvezereli. The case was sent to the
Tbilisi City Court for further discussion. Kvezereli is accused in
extortion of money and car from the Korean investor and resistance to
police officers. The former MP was sentenced to pretrial detention.

On October 21, journalist of the Gori office of the
Human Rights Center received insulting and minatory mails. The author
of the letter is the former director of the Gori theatre Lasha
Jokhadze. Before 2008, he organized culture events in the patriot
camps. The Human Rights Center appeals to the Shida Kartli regional
prosecutor’s office to investigate the fact and punish the author of
the letter in accordance to the law.

On October 21, chairman of the election commission of
the academician council at the Gori University Malkhaz Mindiashvili
requested the journalist of the Gori office of the Human Rights Center
to leave the election precinct. The commission member Vano
Balakhashvili stated that journalists should not attend the election
process.

The Georgian Young
Lawyers Association (GYLA) blames the Parliament of Georgia in
breaching the regulations when introducing amendments to the Criminal
Procedural Code of Georgia. According to the GYLA, the above-mentioned
amendment can be declared unconstitutional based on the Organic Law of
Georgia about Constitutional Court.

About 1 500 IDPs live in the territory of the so-called
military settlement in Khoni. 17 four-storied buildings are located in
the area; their reconstruction started in March of 2008. The municipal
development fund ordered their reconstruction. Three building companies
won the competition. Building company “Axis” took responsibility to
renovate 4 residential buildings; “Dagma, Ltd” – had to renovate 5
buildings; and New Energy had to reconstruct 8 buildings. All three
companies are registered in Tbilisi and they have their central offices
in the capital. Their representatives supervised the ongoing activities
in Khoni.

Prisoner Ramaz Pataraia is in terrible situation after
being physically assaulted– his lower limbs are paralyzed and he moves
only in wheelchair; he has post-trauma stress and cramps. The prisoner
wrote in explanation letter that during transportation two employees of
the prison ruthlessly beat him in Kutaisi prison # 2. Regional
Prosecutor’s office of the western Georgia launched criminal case on
the incident a year ago but the investigation is prolonged and the
trial has not been scheduled yet.

Tents in the street… old people in tears looking out
from the tents; their faces do not show any hope. We hear cry of
infants from several tents. They have made their beds in the tents so
carefully as if they are not going to leave the area for a long time…
they say the same. The reportage was prepared on October 19 during the
ongoing protest demonstration in front of the ministry of IDPs from
occupied territories, accommodation and refugees.